Presidents of Bulgaria and Poland Call for De-escalation of Russia-Ukraine Tension

November 27 (BTA) - The Presidents of Bulgaria and Poland, Rumen Radev and Andrzej Duda, Tuesday called for de-escalation of tension between Russia and Ukraine. They were speaking at a joint news conference during Duda's official visit to Bulgaria.

Radev said that the two heads of State discussed with concern the tension between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea. "We call for restraint, for common sense and the fastest possible de-escalation through dialogue and without use of force," Radev said. He also said that the freedom of civilian shipping should be guaranteed, the Ukrainian sailors should be and the captured vessels returned by Russia.

"As neighbours in this region, it is very important for us not to allow further escalation," said the Bulgarian head of State.

Duda added that what has happened is hard to ignore and the two countries should immediately de-escalate the tension. He reiterated the shared position that the Ukrainian sailors captured by Russia should be freed and the vessels returned to Ukraine. "This is a situation we cannot accept and we hope that de-escalation is achievable in the near future." LN/RY